STATE COLLEGE AT HARRISBURG
1 p.m. SATURDAY, SEVERANCE FIELD
RECORDS: State College 1-2, 0-0 Commonwealth; Harrisburg 1-2, 0-0 Commonwealth
THE LITTLE LIONS: Landing to the Commonwealth portion of the schedule with a losing record is nothing new for veteran head coach Al Wolski and company. During his tenure at State College a hallmark of this team has been week-to-week improvement. It’s what the Little Lions do. Senior QB Patrick Irwin has been carrying the load. He’s not only thrown for 318 yards and three touchdowns, but he’s pacing a rushing attack that averages 227 yards a game with 44 carries and 311 yards with three touchdowns. Sophomore Jordan Mishler is second on the team with 153 yards on the ground and two scores. Junior John Weakland, who check in a 6-4, is a big target at WR and leads the club with 125 receiving yards and a pair of scores. The roster of 100-plus players rarely has depth problems and plays a tough brand of defense.
THE COUGARS: Nothing like a visit to York High to get rid of that bad taste of adversity and get the ship sailing in the right direction with 549 yards of offense and the first victory of 2013. The huge plus from last week was QB Mikell Clark not only in uniform, but having a big night. He was rocked in Week 2 by Wilson and was doubtful. But the junior threw for 205 yards and four touchdowns. He’s made some huge strides each of the last two weeks. Darian Davis-Ray was his usual self with 80 yards rushing on only seven carries with a pair of touchdowns. Harrisburg will need the kind of production Sheldon Snell provided, 10 carries, 115 yards and a TD, to keep that running game balanced with Rob Martin gone for the year. .
THE CRUX: Third down for Harrisburg’s defense might be the deciding factor in this game. Wilson torched the Cougars’ D on third and fourth downs two weeks ago. And State College will be patient and look to do the same.
SHAY SAYS: This is a matchup of two teams still putting the final touches on the painting. The State College (+6) offense works best when it’s spreading the ball around, but Irwin has been doing most of the heavy lifting. Harrisburg’s defense, led by Joe Adams at DE-OLB, being able to tighten its focus is a huge advantage.
SHAY ON TWITTER: @APShay
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